Waternish
Bhatarnais
Meaning
promontory of the waterspout
Location
Inverness-shire
Highland
IV55
NG264594
English / Map Form: Waternish
Gaelic Form: Bhatarnais
Location: Skye, Inner Hebrides
Post Town: ISLE OF SKYE
Postcode area: IV55
County: Inverness-shire
Local Authority: Highland
Nearest Main Roads: A87
English / Map Form: Waternish
Gaelic Form: Bhatarnais
Language Notes
ON vatna-nes: gen. sg of ON vatn, fem. 'waterspout, stream' + nes, neut. nom. sg. 'promontory' = ‘promontory of the waterspout’Element Meaning
ON vatn ~ waterspout, stream; ON nes ~ promontory
Sources
| Watternes | 1626 Retours (Inverness) no. 45 |
| Watterness | 1655 Retours (Inverness) no. 79 |
| Watterness | 1664 Retours (Inverness) no. 95 |
| Vaternish | 1776 Mackenzie: North part |
| Waternish | 1804 Heather |
| Bhatairnis | Dwelly 1912 |
| vatn (vadn Old Norse for water)… spelled “Bhatairnis” | Forbes, 446 |
| Bhatairnis | Sorley Maclean, An Cuilitheann |
| Bhatairnis | Robertson |
Additional Information
This is an established term. Cleasby and Vigfusson have vatns-nes. This derivation is also given in McBain 1922, 36. The precise phonological development of this name from the ON form is not entirely clear.